It’s often said that most women have little or no interest in their car. Whether this claim is true is not so important, since once you sit behind the wheel all you want to do is to get to your destination safely and on time. In order for that to happen, your car has to be properly maintained to minimise the risk of something going wrong and the driver should be able to react appropriately in case there is a problem.

No matter how uninterested a woman may be, it’s really important that she keeps her car in the best possible condition and know what needs to be done. Some of the tasks are so easy that everyone can do them, while others require professional help. Knowing who to address is, therefore, also vital. So, let’s take a look at the most basic stuff every woman driver should know.

Prevention

It’s always better to prevent than cure, as we all know. Cars are no different, because they need routine maintenance, such as oil change, tyre rotation, brake inspection, etc. This is much cheaper than dealing with problems that will definitely arise if the car is not regularly maintained, not to mention the aspect of safety on the road. Make sure you never miss any of regular inspections and that you visit your mechanic in intervals recommended by the car manufacturer.

Knowing where to look

If your dashboard reports a malfunction, you have to consult the manual that came with the car. Keeping it handy is useful, since you can immediately diagnose the problem and make the right call about it. Also, you need to know where the spare tyre is and what tools you need to use if you need to replace a tyre.

Changing a tyre

You may get a puncture somewhere far from any help while you’re in a rush to get home or to work. That’s why it’s important to be able to change a tyre without anyone’s help. Don’t worry, it’s not as difficult as it may seem. Make sure you know where a jack is and wear a warning reflector once you park your car safely by the road. Basically, the secret is to loosen up the lug nuts before using the jack to lift up the car and to have your handbrake on.

Oil inspection

Another simple task, yet vital to good performance is oil inspection. Don’t wait for a warning light on your dashboard, but occasionally check engine oil level. Follow the instructions from the manual and you’ll see how easy it is. If the level is dangerously low, simply top up. However, if the problem appears again soon, make sure you visit your mechanic, who should be able to diagnose the problem. Try to find a reliable mobile mechanic, so you don’t have to lose a lot of time driving to and from the mechanic.

Check tyre pressure

You can always perform a visual inspection of your tyres, but you should also measure the pressure precisely from time to time. It’s equally dangerous to drive with both under or over-inflated tyres, so be sure you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. You might want to have a small tyre pressure gauge with you or simply stop at a gas station near you.

Refilling washer fluid

Although it may not seem very important, having washer fluid available at all times is very important for your safety. Let’s say you’re driving during a snowstorm and your windshield is full of salt. It would be very difficult to remove it using only windshield wipers. So, perform a simple inspection of washing fluid level from time to time and you won’t have to worry about it.

Needless to say, not every problem can be fixed by a driver, regardless of their sex. Still, if a car is properly looked after, the risk of malfunction will be minimised and the ride will be safer. For that to happen, some simple tasks are necessary and every driver should complete them regularly.

 Share